Prefabricated Outbuilding

ABSTRACT

A prefabricated outbuilding may include a first vertically oriented upright, a support beam supported by the vertically oriented upright, a groove supporting structure extending over the first vertically oriented upright, a second upright to support the roof support structure, an accessory including an upper end and a lower end to support the prefabricated outbuilding. The upper end may receive the lower end of the first vertically oriented upright, and the lower end may be adapted to drive into a support surface. The support surface may be earth, and the support surface may be concrete. The lower end may include an aperture to receive rebar, and the upper and may include an aperture to receive a fastener. The prefabricated outbuilding may include a roof support beam to support a roof, and the prefabricated outbuilding may include a deck. The prefabricated outbuilding may be transportable, and the pre-fabricated outbuilding may include at least two enclosures and may include four enclosures or more.

PRIORITY

The present invention claims priority under 35 USC section 119 based upon a provisional application with a Ser. No. 61/231,818 which was filed on Aug. 6, 2009.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to the field of outbuildings and more particularly to a prefabricated outbuilding.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Many of the homes dominating the American landscape no longer provide adequate space to meet the needs and desires of the American family. One to three bedroom homes, homes lacking a family room or den, and homes with only single car garages are insufficient for many families' needs. Further, home offices have become increasingly popular and have placed additional demands on the space available in many existing homes. While moving to a larger home may be an option for some families, others cannot afford the expense and inconvenience of moving. Existing relationships with community schools and activities, local houses of worship and other conveniences, and nearby friends and family may also be a deterrent to moving. Further, as cities and suburbs expand, and the available spaces for new development decrease, something will need to be done about the functionally obsolete, though otherwise desirable, existing homes.

Unfortunately, the prospect of adding a housing addition can be daunting. Hiring an architect to design a compatible addition can be expensive and time consuming. A new design may take 2-3 months to prepare and customization of the design to the homeowner's needs may require considerable time and effort from the homeowner. After preparation, review of the plans for the appropriate building permits may take 6-10 weeks.

Finding an available contractor and getting financing for both the design and building stages may require additional time and effort. Engaging a contractor to build the addition adds additional expenses and even the hardiest do-it-yourselfer generally lacks the tools and expertise to construct an entire addition from the ground up. Homeowners may have difficulty finding a contractor they can trust and may fear being overcharged or provided with sub-standard workmanship and materials. Reliable and inexpensive architects and contractors may be difficult to find.

Homeowners may also be discouraged by the time and mess associated with the construction of a housing addition. Construction of an addition, even after permits are in place, typically takes 2-3 months and may be made longer by weather delays, inspection delays, building mistakes, lack of contractor and sub-contractor availability, and other delays. Protracted construction on an existing property can wreak havoc with family routines, strain relationships with neighbors, and render the general aesthetics and utility of the existing property undesirable for the duration of the construction. There is a need for a fast and inexpensive way to design and construct a house addition.

The use of a pre-fabricated kit to construct a building, has been around for many years. Perhaps the most common forms of kit construction are log home kits and the kits used by some contractors to construct a large number of similar tract homes. In many kits, wall frames and trusses are pre-fabricated at a factory and delivered to the building site. The wall frames may include window and door frames, and exterior wall frames may have plywood or similar coverings pre-installed on their exteriors. At the building site, the frames and trusses are positioned using a building crane and attached using pneumatic nail guns or similar devices. Further framing may be required on-site. Plywood exteriors may be added to the walls and roof and the roof may be covered, for example, by shingles or other roofing materials. The various house systems, such as plumbing, electrical, and HVAC may be installed. Windows and doors may be installed. Drywall may be added on the interior of walls and ceilings and various stages of finishing work, such as painting and installing siding, flooring, cabinetry, fixtures, molding, and other items, may be completed.

Such building kits may require special equipment, such as building cranes, to assemble. They may require special expertise for installing house systems and finishing. They may be challenging to customize or redesign due to the use of large, building specific, pre-fabricated sections. They may require considerable on-site labor to assemble and complete and on-site completion may provide considerable opportunity for human error, failed inspections, and other delays. Such building kits may be incompatible with existing buildings, lot sizes, and lot shapes.

SUMMARY

A prefabricated outbuilding may include a first vertically oriented upright, a support beam supported by the vertically oriented upright, a groove supporting structure extending over the first vertically oriented upright, a second upright to support the roof support structure, an accessory including an upper end and a lower end to support the prefabricated outbuilding. The upper end may receive the lower end of the first vertically oriented upright, and the lower end may be adapted to drive into a support surface.

The support surface may be earth, and the support surface may be concrete.

The lower end may include an aperture to receive rebar, and the upper and may include an aperture to receive a fastener.

The prefabricated outbuilding may include a roof support beam to support a roof, and the prefabricated outbuilding may include a deck.

The prefabricated outbuilding may be transportable, and the pre-fabricated outbuilding may include at least two enclosures and may include four enclosures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention may be understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which, like reference numerals identify like elements, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a rear perspective view of a prefabricated outbuilding comprising an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating the transport of the basic structure of FIG. 1 on a flatbed truck.

FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of the prefabricated outbuilding of FIG. 1 showing a variety of accessories useful in conjunction therewith;

FIG. 4A is front perspective view showing a first completed outbuilding incorporating the basic structure of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4B is a perspective view illustrating a second completed outbuilding;

FIG. 4C is a perspective view illustrating a third completed outbuilding;

FIG. 4D is a perspective view illustrating a completed outbuilding comprising two of the basic structures illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4E is a perspective view illustrating a completed outbuilding comprising two of the basic structures illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating the fixture for securing the basic structure of FIG. 1 and completed structures incorporating the basic structure of FIG. 1 to the underlying surface: and

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to the drawings, in particularly to FIG. 1, the basic construction of a prefabricated outbuilding 10 comprising the present invention is shown. The outbuilding 10 comprises a plurality of vertically oriented uprights 12. The embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 1 comprises fifteen uprights 12, it being understood that the exact number of uprights utilized in any particular embodiment of the invention depends on the dimensions and configuration thereof. A plurality of nominally horizontally disposed support beams 14 are supported on the upper ends of the uprights 12, The support beams 14 extend beyond the uprights 12 to provide a load receiving and sheltering deck 16. The deck 16 comprises a plurality of horizontally disposed load supporting beams 18. The supporting members may be connected by bolts, screws, nails or other fastening devices at the joinery of the beams and elsewhere.

An angularly disposed roof supporting structure 20 extends over the entirety of the area defined by the outermost vertically disposed uprights 12 and extends over a portion of the deck 16 as illustrated at 22. The roof 20 is supported at its lower end by direct connection to the support beams 14 and is further supported by uprights 24 which are secured to the support beams 14 and are positioned directly above the corresponding uprights 12. The roof 20 is further defined by five angularly extending roof support beams 26 each comprising spaced, parallel members 28. The support beam 14 and the uprights 24 extend between the members 26 comprising the roof 20 and are secured thereto by suitable fasteners. The roof 20 in turn supports cross members 30 which extend perpendicularly to the support beams 26.

FIG. 2 illustrates a prefabricated building comprising the present invention mounted on a flat bed truck (‘FBT”) for transportation to its ultimate location. The relatively inexpensive transportability of prefabricated out buildings comprises an important feature of the invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates various accessories that may be utilized in conjunction with the basic structure of FIG. 1. The roof 20 may be secured against rain, snow, leaves, etc. entering the interior of the structure 10 by conventional shingles 36 which are installed over the support members 30 in the conventional manner. Conventional roof decking 38 may he secured on the extending portions of the beams 14 in lieu of or in addition to the members 16 shown in FIG. 1. The interior of the building 10 may be secured by panels 40 some or all of which may comprise either single-hung or double-hung doors. The ends of the building 10 may be secured by wooden panels 42A, 42W 42C and 42D. One or more of the panels 42A-42D, inclusive, may be replaced by a selected glass panel 44A, 44B, 44C, and/or 44D. Alternatively, one or more of the wooden panels 42A, 42B, 42C and 42D may be replaced by a corresponding screen panel 46A, 46B, 46C and/or 46D.

FIG. 4A illustrates a fully completed transportable outbuilding 50 comprising the present invention All of the exterior panels, interior panels, and support members comprising the transportable outbuilding may be formed from only or in combination substantially rigid materials such as wood, metal, plastic or other appropriate material, it being understood that one or more of the panels can be fully or partially constructed from other materials such as glass, screening, etc.

The transportable outbuilding 50 comprises four separate enclosures each defined by an interior wall 52 and an individual door 54. The doors 54 illustrated in FIG. 4 comprise double-hung doors including an upper portion 54A and a lower portion 54B, it being understood that the doors 54 may comprise other conventional configurations including in particular a single, solid door for each of the compartments 52. The configuration of the transportable building 50 is readily adapted to the housing of animals with separate compartments 52 facilitating the separation of the various animals as needed. The transportable outbuilding 50 is further adapted to the storage of various tools and/or the storage of various materials such as feeds, fertilizers, etc. in accordance with the requirements of particular applications of the invention.

FIG. 4B illustrates a configuration of the transportable building of the present invention which differs substantially from that of FIG. 4A. The roof 62 of the building 60 is fully covered but in a manner different from the configuration of the roof of the building 50 of FIG. 4A. More importantly, the sides and the front of the building 60 comprise panels 64 which are formed from glass. Thus, the transportable outbuilding 60 of FIG. 4A is readily adapted for use as a hot house to facilitate the nurturing of plants, as a playhouse for children, etc.

FIG. 4C illustrates an adaptation of the invention wherein the basic structure of FIG. 1 is doubled in length. The particular structure 70 illustrated in FIG. 4B comprises an entirely open front wall 72 and fully closed side walls 74 and back wall 76. Screening is provided at the upper portions 78 of the side walls 74 and the upper portion 80 of the front wall 72 to further facilitate ventilation. Thus, the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG. 4B is readily adapted to the storage of farm implements and related supplies and materials, to the storage of vehicles such as bicycles, motorcycles, golf carts, etc. and to the storage of articles and accessories utilized in a wide variety of outdoor activities.

FIG. 4D illustrates a completed structure 80 comprising two of the basic structures 10 shown in FIG. 1 and described hereinabove in conjunction therewith. The building 80 comprises a first completed building 82 and a second completed building 84 which are oriented in a facing relationship. The buildings 82 and 84 are independent, free standing structures with the exception of a connection 86. Although the buildings 82 and 84 are shown to be substantially identical in FIG. 4C, those skilled in the art will appreciate the fact that the present invention does not require that there is any commonality whatsoever between the building 82 and the building 84.

Those skilled in the art will realize that the configuration of the present invention shown in FIG. 4D is adapted to a wide variety of adaptations. For example, the building 82 could comprise a kitchen and dining area and the building 84 could comprise a sleeping area. Alternatively, the building 82 could comprise storage for animal feed and animal-related products and accessories. Yet another adaptation of the building 80 would be configured for utilization and conjunction with swimming facilities wherein the building 82 would comprise changing and bathroom facilities for women and girls and the building 84 would comprise changing and bathroom facilities for men and boys. Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the structure 80 is readily adapted to many other utilizations.

FIG. 4E illustrates yet another utilization of the present invention. The building 90 includes components 92 and 94 each of which comprises the basic structure illustrated in FIG. 1 and described hereinabove in conjunction therewith. In addition thereto a third component 96 is constructed in the area extending between the two components 92 and 94 that would otherwise he open and exposed to the elements. The number of components is not limited, but is intended to be flexible to achieve the goals of the owner. The components may be added in a linear format, generally in any direction.

Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the configuration of the building 90 is readily adapted to the storage and management of animals. For example, the components 92 and 94 may be utilized for confinement and protection of various types and kinds of animals and the component 96 may be utilized for storage of feed for the animals that are housed in the components 92 and 94.

FIG. 5 illustrates an accessory 100 which may be described as a steel receiving boot/pier like device for ground installation in order to stabilize the outbuilding and useful in the practice of the invention in order to secure the outbuilding 10 which may be formed from steel, concrete or other rigid material. The accessory 100 includes an upper portion 102 which receives and is detachably connected to the lower ends of an upright 12 comprising the basic structure shown in FIG. 1. The upper portion 102 may conform to the cross-sectional shape of the upright 12. The upper end 102 is provided with a plurality of apertures 104 which receive fasteners therethrough thereby securing the lower end of the upright 12 to the accessory 100. The fasteners may be bolts, screws or other types of fasteners. The lower end 106 of the accessory 100 is secured into a support surface such as being driven into the earth, positioned within concrete or a composite wood material which may be similar to a wood floor deck or other appropriate material thereby securing the various structures show in FIGS. 1 through 4E and described hereinabove in conjunction herewith from overturning due to high winds, and the like. The accessory 106 may also be secured in concrete in which case the lower member 106 is provided with lengths of rebar which extend through the member 106 and outwardly therefrom for engagement with the concrete that surrounds the member 106.

The present invention including the outbuilding 10 may be partially or totally green and construction and operation and may include solar power to provide electricity for the outbuilding 10 and water harvesting facilities to make the outbuilding 10 a self-sustaining unit.

While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and are herein described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the description herein of specific embodiments is not intended to limit the invention to the particular forms disclosed. 

1) A prefabricated outbuilding, comprising: a first vertically oriented upright; a support beam supported by the vertically oriented upright; a groove supporting structure extending over the first vertically oriented upright; a second upright to support the roof support structure; an accessory including an upper end and a lower end to support the prefabricated outbuilding; wherein the upper end receives the lower end of the first vertically oriented upright; wherein the lower end is adapted to drive into a support surface. 2) A prefabricated outbuilding as claim 1, wherein the support surface is earth. 3) A prefabricated outbuilding as in claim 1, wherein the support surface is concrete. 4) A prefabricated outbuilding as in claim 1, wherein the lower end includes an aperture to receive rebar. 5) A prefabricated outbuilding as in claim 1, wherein the upper end includes an aperture to receive a fastener. 6) A prefabricated outbuilding as in claim 1, wherein the pre-fabricated outbuilding includes a roof support beam to support a roof. 7) A prefabricated outbuilding as in claim 1, wherein the prefabricated outbuilding includes a deck. 8) A prefabricated outbuilding as in claim 1, wherein the prefabricated outbuilding is transportable. 9) A prefabricated outbuilding as in claim 1, wherein the prefabricated outbuilding includes at least two enclosures. 10) A prefabricated outbuilding as in claim 1, wherein the prefabricated outbuilding includes at least four enclosures. 11) A prefabricated outbuilding as in claim 4, wherein the accessory includes a square steel boot being concreted into the ground. 